Client Terms of Business
Last updated: 18 March 2026
These Client Terms of Business apply to professional services provided by Bentley Legal Support Services (“Bentley”, “we”, “us” or “our”). They apply when we accept an instruction from a client to provide process serving, tracing, verification, property or related field services.
1. Our Services
Bentley provides professional field services including process serving, statutory demand service, winding-up petition service, tracing, address verification, occupancy checks, property reporting and related field support.
The precise service provided will depend on the instruction accepted by Bentley and the scope agreed with the client.
2. Instructions
Clients must provide accurate and complete information relevant to the assignment.
This may include:
- Relevant documents
- Full names and addresses
- Company details
- Known contact or identifying information
- Deadlines
- Previous attendance or service information
- Specific instructions or concerns
We may request additional information where reasonably necessary to carry out the assignment.
3. Acceptance of an Instruction
An enquiry, quotation request or submission through our website does not automatically create an accepted instruction.
An assignment will be accepted only when Bentley confirms the instruction, scope, availability and applicable fee.
4. Scope of Work
We will carry out the work within the scope agreed with the client.
If circumstances arise that require additional work, we will explain the available options and obtain the client’s agreement before undertaking chargeable additional services, unless immediate action has been expressly authorised.
5. Client Responsibilities
The client is responsible for ensuring that information and documents supplied to Bentley are accurate, complete and appropriate for the intended purpose.
The client must also tell us about any relevant risks, known sensitivities, previous incidents, access restrictions or other circumstances that may affect the assignment.
6. Legal Advice
Bentley Legal Support Services provides professional field services and does not provide legal advice.
We do not advise on the validity, legal effect or merits of a document, proceedings, statutory demand, winding-up petition or other legal matter.
Clients should obtain appropriate independent legal advice where required.
7. Process Serving
Where instructed to serve a document, Bentley will carry out the agreed attendance or service attempt in accordance with the scope of the assignment and applicable requirements.
An instruction to serve a document does not guarantee that the recipient will be found, that service will be completed or that a particular legal outcome will follow.
8. Attendance Attempts
The number, timing and nature of attendance attempts will depend on the service agreed.
Where additional attempts are requested after the agreed scope has been completed, those attempts may incur additional charges.
9. Tracing and Verification
Tracing, address verification and related services depend on the information available and what can lawfully and reasonably be established.
Bentley does not guarantee that a person, address or business will be located or verified.
10. Property and Occupancy Services
Property and occupancy assignments are based on observations made during the agreed attendance.
Unless expressly agreed otherwise, these services do not constitute property valuations, structural surveys, legal opinions or definitive determinations of ownership, occupation or trading status.
11. Photographs and Location Evidence
Where appropriate to the assignment, photographs and location or GPS evidence may be collected and included within the service report.
Such evidence will be handled in accordance with the agreed scope, applicable law and our Privacy Policy.
12. Reports and Proof of Service
Depending on the assignment, Bentley may provide attendance notes, reports, photographs, location evidence, proof or statements of service and other agreed documentation.
The exact content and format of reporting will depend on the service, the work undertaken and applicable requirements.
13. Additional Services
An attendance may reveal a need for further work.
Additional services may include:
- Further attendance attempts
- Address verification
- Tracing
- Occupancy checks
- Property inspection reports
- Director address verification
- Local or neighbour enquiries
- Other agreed field support
Additional services will normally require separate agreement and may be charged separately.
14. Fees
Fees are agreed before work begins unless otherwise expressly agreed.
Any quotation is based on the information provided and the agreed scope.
Additional charges may apply where the scope changes, additional work is requested, or circumstances outside our reasonable control require further attendance or work.
15. Promotional Pricing
Any promotional service or discounted price is subject to the conditions communicated at the time of instruction.
Promotional pricing does not automatically apply to additional work or services outside the stated offer.
16. Payment
Payment must be made in accordance with the payment terms communicated with the relevant quotation or instruction.
Where payment is overdue, Bentley may suspend further work until the outstanding amount has been resolved, subject to any contractual or legal obligations that apply.
17. Cancellation
Cancellation of an instruction should be communicated as soon as possible.
Where work has already commenced or costs have already been incurred, the client may remain responsible for the relevant charges in accordance with the agreed service terms.
18. Delays and Circumstances Outside Our Control
We will make reasonable efforts to carry out assignments within the agreed timeframe.
However, attendance times and outcomes may be affected by circumstances outside our reasonable control, including traffic, access restrictions, weather, emergencies, inaccurate information, changes at an address or other unforeseen circumstances.
19. Confidentiality
We will handle client and assignment information with appropriate confidentiality and discretion, subject to legal obligations and the requirements of carrying out the agreed service.
20. Data Protection
Personal information received or collected in connection with an instruction will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection law and our Privacy Policy.
Depending on the nature of the processing, Bentley may act as a controller, processor or otherwise in accordance with the circumstances and applicable data protection requirements.
21. Lawful and Appropriate Instructions
Clients must not instruct Bentley to undertake unlawful, threatening, harassing, deceptive or otherwise inappropriate activity.
We may refuse or discontinue an instruction where we reasonably believe that the requested activity is unlawful, unsafe, unethical or outside the agreed scope.
22. Professional Conduct
Our fieldwork is carried out with appropriate professionalism, courtesy and discretion.
We do not permit intimidation, harassment, unnecessary intrusion, trespass or other inappropriate conduct as part of our services.
23. Conflicts of Interest
We may decline or discontinue an instruction where a conflict of interest is identified or where accepting or continuing the instruction would create an inappropriate professional conflict.
24. No Guarantee of Outcome
Bentley does not guarantee:
- That a recipient will be located
- That a recipient will accept a document
- That service will be completed on a particular attendance
- That an address will be verified
- That a trace will produce a result
- That premises will be occupied or accessible
- That a court or other authority will accept a particular form of evidence
25. Client Cooperation
The client agrees to provide reasonable cooperation and information necessary to carry out the assignment.
Where the client does not provide required information or instructions, this may affect the timing, cost or outcome of the assignment.
26. Subcontractors and Agents
Where appropriate, Bentley may use trusted agents or service providers to assist with an assignment.
Where subcontracting is used, Bentley will take reasonable steps to ensure that the relevant service is carried out in accordance with the agreed scope and applicable obligations.
27. Complaints
We take complaints seriously and encourage clients to raise concerns promptly.
Complaints should be made in accordance with our Complaints Procedure.
28. Liability
Bentley will perform accepted assignments with reasonable care and professionalism.
Nothing in these terms excludes or limits any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
Subject to applicable law, Bentley will not be responsible for losses arising solely from circumstances beyond our reasonable control or from inaccurate, incomplete or misleading information supplied by the client.
29. Indemnity
Where legally appropriate, the client remains responsible for losses or costs arising from material inaccuracies, unlawful instructions or misuse of information supplied to Bentley.
30. Termination
Either party may request termination of an ongoing assignment, subject to any agreed contractual commitments and payment for work already completed or costs reasonably incurred.
31. Intellectual Property
Reports and documents created specifically for the client may be used by that client for the purpose for which the assignment was undertaken.
Bentley retains rights in its underlying templates, processes, systems and business materials unless otherwise agreed in writing.
32. Records
Bentley may retain appropriate records relating to instructions, attendance, reporting, communications, billing and other business requirements in accordance with applicable law and our data-retention practices.
33. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Client Terms of Business from time to time.
The terms applicable to a particular instruction will be those agreed with the client at the time the instruction is accepted, subject to any subsequent written variation.
34. Governing Law
These Client Terms of Business are governed by the laws of England and Wales, unless applicable law requires otherwise.
Subject to any mandatory alternative jurisdiction, the courts of England and Wales shall have jurisdiction over disputes arising from these terms.
35. Contact Us
Bentley Legal Support Services
Email: enquiries@bentleylegal.co.uk
Telephone: +44-7890-197837
Website: www.bentleylegal.co.uk
Related Policies
Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Website Terms & Conditions | Complaints Procedure | Service Standards
These Client Terms of Business are intended as a framework for professional engagements. They should be reviewed by a UK legal professional against Bentley Legal Support Services’ actual business model, insurance arrangements, VAT status, subcontracting arrangements and client engagement process before being adopted.